Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Jacob Evans, roster building

The Minnesota Timberwolves have an interesting offseason ahead of them, to say the least.

Believe it or not, we’re likely only a little more than halfway into what is already the longest offseason in Minnesota Timberwolves history.

While it’s been uneventful so far, things should pick up in a meaningful way for the Wolves and their fans soon.

We’ve covered various potential moves in many ways already here at Dunking With Wolves. Recently, ESPN NBA Insider Bobby Marks published a breakdown of the Wolves’ roster (ESPN Plus subscription required) and some decisions they will have to make. It lays things out in an interesting way and gives some examples of past comparable contracts for restricted free agents as well as possible trades involving draft picks.

Also, Wolves guard Jacob Evans was on the 4 SZNS podcast and offered some insight into his offseason so far.

Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Jacob Evans, roster building

First, on Evans. He joined Ryan Magdiarz and Zak Noble on 4 SZNS to discuss what he’s been up to this offseason. The conversation is awesome, as Evans opens up about his daily workouts with teammates and staff at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis.

Evans also talks about the off-court bonding that the young Wolves players have been taking part in, as the majority of the team is new even in the past six or seven months. He also touches on the difference in the atmosphere around the team between Golden State and Minnesota, which is intriguing insight.

It remains to be seen if Evans will have a shot at making the roster in 2020-21 or if his guaranteed contract is included in any trades around draft time.

Elsewhere, ESPN’s Marks, who was a longtime executive with the Nets, provided an in-depth breakdown of the Minnesota Timberwolves roster and the decisions they’ll have to make this offseason.

Because the piece is ESPN Plus and for Insiders only, we can’t share too much of the piece verbatim. However, what was perhaps most interesting were a couple of the salary comparisons that Marks made.

The biggest question marks for the Wolves right now are restricted free agents Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez, and Marks gives some tangible comparisons.

First, he throws out the three-year, $39 million contract that Terrence Ross signed with Orlando. That would be palatable for the Wolves, and on the lower end of what Beasley is probably seeking as one of the top wing options on the market.

For Hernangomez, Marks suggests the three-year, $14.5 million deal that Kevon Looney signed in Golden State. Keeping Hernangomez for something around $5 million a year would be awesome. Whether he’s in the starting lineup or coming off the bench as a third big, it would be a deal the Wolves would almost certainly take.

In addition to the issue of free agency, Marks covers the draft, potential trades, and more. If you have an ESPN Insider subscription, be sure to check out his breakdown.